Full Time off road tool kit.

[Corbet]

Just to fuel a friendly debate here, a couple other opinions. Where do you guys lean on your "good" tools vs. your cheap ones? My attitude is I put my best tools in the truck. The HF stuff stays in the toolbox at home. The risk is I might lose or loan a more expensive tool. But my logic has always been when I need a tool on the trail, I don't want a cheap tool to come into the equation. there are enough variables going on- like wind, dirt, snow, sun, kids, dogs, quads... give me the best tool possible to get moving again.

Personally I consider old Craftsman to be the lowest quality tool I carry on the trail. Most of what is in my trail box are just that, with a few prograde things that I just can't live without. But completely agree. I don't want to be stuck with a trail repair and substandard tools to do it.

Now that Craftsman stuff is manufactured in China I've quit buying it.

 

[AxleIke]

Wow Drew, that is a big kit! Nicely done!

One thing I was going to add here:

I've often struggled not with repairing something because of a lack of a hand tool, but rather having a good, *safe* way to support the vehicle while working on it. We've got high lifts, and bottle jacks usually, and once its up, you can throw the tire under to keep it from completely crushing you.

My problem is, carrying a full floor jack with some sort of dirt skid to let it work in soft soil as well as a couple of jack stands isn't really in the cards.

This doesn't fit the bill of "cheap" but I plan to invest in some collapsable jack stands as well as a good high lifting bottle jack, that is reasonably rapid. Pumping the normal ones is a real pain.

This site: http://safejacks.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=23 has a bunch of stuff, but in particular, I like the safety attachments for the bottle jack that allow you to cradle an axle, or a flat piece for various other parts of the truck. The jackstands aren't super adjustable, but look as though they would nicely support a vehicle safely even in moderately soft sand.

Just a thought.

Drew, the kit looks nice. I'm always jealous of you 100 guys with all that space. I can barely get my camping gear in as is, and I have a much smaller kit. Kudo's man. Looks good.

 

[AxleIke]

I used to carry craftsman. Until my entire box got stolen. Now I don't. I agree about bad quality tools, but the Costco stuff has done alright by me.

 

[subzali]

Drew, that looks amazing! Don't forget the 9mm deep socket for carburetors, and a shaved off screwdriver for the jets. And a 54mm hub socket, not sure I see one there.

Oh wait, you're wheelin' the 100 now



(that one's for Uncle Ben)

 

[subzali]

Seriously though, details on the Pelican case (size), and what does that bad boy weigh? Plans/methods to secure it in the truck?

 

[Rezarf]

Whoops! That ain't mine... just pirated the pic from ExPo.

It is a 1520 Pelican case iirc with the photo dividers. I have an empty 1600 case in the garage but a 1500 size might fit under the seat of the 40 which is about as big as I'd like to go.

Currently I have used 3 Snap-On soft tool bags (nothing special about Snappy, I just got all three at a local pawn shop for $30 total) that I use, one is recovery, one is spares, last one is tools. It has worked well but I am trying to consolidate into one full time case/bag. A hard case is nice for weather and lock-ability in the 40, both locking the case closed, and locking the case to the rig.

 

[Crash]

Whoa, big-time self bust! Well, at least it's something we can all aspire to because it really is a good looking kit.

Whoops! That ain't mine... just pirated the pic from ExPo.

It is a 1520 Pelican case iirc with the photo dividers. I have an empty 1600 case in the garage but a 1500 size might fit under the seat of the 40 which is about as big as I'd like to go.

Currently I have used 3 Snap-On soft tool bags (nothing special about Snappy, I just got all three at a local pawn shop for $30 total) that I use, one is recovery, one is spares, last one is tools. It has worked well but I am trying to consolidate into one full time case/bag. A hard case is nice for weather and lock-ability in the 40, both locking the case closed, and locking the case to the rig.

 

[Squishy!]

I think I'm going to use these. Affordable, and water proof. Home depot

 

[Rezarf]

That's nice Justin I am in the market now for the biggest Pelican case that fits under the seat of the 40. I'd like something that allowed for a longer pry bar and breaker bar though. Maybe I'll store those two differently.

 

[PabloCruise]

Wow Drew, that is a big kit! Nicely done!

One thing I was going to add here:

I've often struggled not with repairing something because of a lack of a hand tool, but rather having a good, *safe* way to support the vehicle while working on it. We've got high lifts, and bottle jacks usually, and once its up, you can throw the tire under to keep it from completely crushing you.

My problem is, carrying a full floor jack with some sort of dirt skid to let it work in soft soil as well as a couple of jack stands isn't really in the cards.

This doesn't fit the bill of "cheap" but I plan to invest in some collapsable jack stands as well as a good high lifting bottle jack, that is reasonably rapid. Pumping the normal ones is a real pain.

This site: http://safejacks.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=23 has a bunch of stuff, but in particular, I like the safety attachments for the bottle jack that allow you to cradle an axle, or a flat piece for various other parts of the truck. The jackstands aren't super adjustable, but look as though they would nicely support a vehicle safely even in moderately soft sand.

Just a thought.

Drew, the kit looks nice. I'm always jealous of you 100 guys with all that space. I can barely get my camping gear in as is, and I have a much smaller kit. Kudo's man. Looks good.

I know Kurt was saying he has started using the exhaust jack: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/Exhaust_Jack.html

 

[Corbet]

The exhaust jack is sweet. Its been on my list for a while. I've used one a couple times. I don't think I'd leave my hi-lift at home but I prefer the exhaust jack for a tire change for sure.

 

[ColoradoMntMan]

Is there any tools specific to the 80 series that I should throw in my rig?

 

[White Stripe]

When I plan on what tools to bring I start by bringing all the tools needed to replace a birfield. That takes a fair amount of tools. I also bring some silicone, hose clamps. duct tape, ziplocs, water, zip ties, bailing wire, a hammer, a pry bar, screw drivers, spare fan belt, fuses. I don't mind harbor freight tools. Some are junk, some are fine. I just read the reviews before I buy HF. HF sockets are actually pretty good. I have never broke one even going full tilt with a top of the line snap on impact.

 

[Corbet]

Is there any tools specific to the 80 series that I should throw in my rig?

They never break, just bring extra fuel

Extra fuel pump relay
fusable links
54mm socket
snap ring tool

 

[CardinalFJ60]

yep they are sweet.

The exhaust jack is sweet. Its been on my list for a while. I've used one a couple times. I don't think I'd leave my hi-lift at home but I prefer the exhaust jack for a tire change for sure.

WE used Kurts a couple years back when a fellow Outlaw dented his rim and popped the bead trying to cross at fuller's bottom in the winter. that jack was sweet. pretty quick to deploy.

 

[OilHammer]

That pelican set is REALLY nice, but for a truck running all metric, you can trim that set down a lot if you had to.
Maybe somebody can help me on this one, but why do you need a full multi-meter? I take a 12v pin tester with a light, but at the point I need a multi-meter in the bush, I think I'm at the point I can't field fix it anyway. I don't claim to know how to use a multi-meter though, so that may be the answer right there!

 

[CardinalFJ60]

Here's what I move back and forth...

You can see what I carry here...I love that ATC bag.